Questions & Answers – February 15, 2012

Arjun Kumar: What are the benefits of waking up early in morning according to ancient vedas and you?Swami Ramswarup: Vedas really tell to wake up early in the morning i.e., Ushakal or dawn. Rigveda mantra 1/92/10 states symbolically that dawn knocks everyone’s door to make the future bright of those people who wake up in the said time. Mantra further warns that if a person does not wake up early in the morning then the dawn eats away his future just like a wolf who kills and eats up his prey in the jungle.

Atharvaveda also states that those who do not wake up in the morning at the time of sunrise then the rays of rising sun diminish his memory. Time of dawn in Vedas, has been stated to shower blessings on early risers and providing them with several kinds of happiness and pleasure.

Vishal: I want to know that what will I do in my future?Swami Ramswarup: Future is in your hands and is made bright by doing hard work and pious deeds. It also requires daily worship of Almighty God. If you are married, you should earn money to feed your family.

Priyanka: Pranam Swamiji, Read your post regarding pregnant woman. I wanted to know why most hindu pregnant woman keeps bal krishna pics in her room? I have always loved bal ganesha and have great affinity toward him, I love his qualities and brilliance. I would like to know the pros and cons. Regards Swami Ramswarup: My blessings to you, my daughter.

Bal Krishna picture is placed in the room at one’s own faith. So, if you love Ganesh, you can place his picture at your own . However, in Vedas it is preached that we’ve to worship only Formless, Almighty, Omnipresent God Who creates, nurses and destroys the universe.

H: Please give me your blessing by showing way about the Problem :- I am not married, please tell why and remedy. My earning is also not sufficient, please tell remedy. with regards Swami Ramswarup: Blessings of Almighty God or any saint alone will do nothing, Rigveda tells that whatever you pray you’ll have to hard work accordingly to fulfill your desire. So, I would advise you please to keep watch on your shortcomings by which you are not able to earn more and more. We should not forget that real happiness or pleasure is only attained when a devotee also starts worshipping God. In the absence of worship, nobody is able to make his future bright. So, for your marriage and to earn money , you should also start worship of God and simultaneously should work hard to achieve the goal. I would advise you to do the following:-

Shubh Karma

Hard working, devotion, dedication, honesty, services to the parents and elders to follow eternal religion mentioned in Vedas, practice of Ashtang Yoga, discharging moral duties to get progress in education, science simultaneously with spiritualism like, daily havan, to be in contact with the learned Acharya, to get his advice, are some of the pious deeds which make the future bright and obliterate the sorrows, problems, diseases, etc.

One must wake up early in the morning for early morning walk and exercises, must sit on meditation and chant holy name of God, must be away from any addiction and non-vegetarian. Such pious actions lead to long, happy life and bright future.

Meaning of Gayatri mantra stating each word is as follows. Its meaning is based on Vedas and Sanskrit grammar. Grammatical hints are in short please.

Om has three Hindi words. Aa, Uu AND Ma. Aa is meant for Aakaar from which three names of God are built, Viraat, Agni, and Vishwadi. From Uu = uukar from which Hirannyagarbha, Vayu and Tejas names occur and Ma = makaar from which Ishwar, Aditya and Praajyan aadi, holy names of God occur. Rigveda mantra 1/164/46 says God is one but His names are several. But here OM the holy name of God is only being explained.

VIRAAT = Viraat word is made from dhatu ‘Rajrideeptau’ i.e., manifest. Therefore Viraat means He who manifests the universe. As God manifests the universe, thus Viraat is the name of God. Rigveda mandal 10, sukta 129 states that like potter makes pot from clay, similarly God creates universe from non-alive matter prakriti. Prakriti is unseen matter. From unseen matter, the whole universe is created in the visible form. Science also says that matter is never destroyed but changes its form. Suppose a paper is burnt, paper changes its form into ashes. Then ashes are crushed and thrown in air. At this moment, the paper changed into ashes becomes invisible but was never destroyed. Similarly the whole universe at the time of final destruction is turned into prakriti i.e., into unseen form.

AGNI = From dhatu, “ANCHU GATI POOJANAYOHO” the word “AGNI is made. Its meaning is: He who is a form of wisdom. “SARVAJAYEN” i.e., Omniscient. That is, knows each and every atom of universe and even beyond universe. He who is to be known, to be gained and is worshipful. So Agni is the name of God.

VISHWA = Vishwa word is made from dhatu, “VISHPRAVESHANE”. Its meaning is He in whom the universe is entering or He who is entering the universe. So being omnipresent, Vishwa is the name of God.

HIRANNYAGARBHA = i.e., ” JYOTIRVAYIHIRANYAM”. Its meaning is, who is the base of all sun, etc., luminous lokas or He who is the living place of all luminous lokas. VAYU = from dhatu, “VA GATIGANDHANYOHO”, vayu word is made. Its meaning is He who holds, gives life and destroys and is the mightiest amongst all. So the name of God is Vayu.

TEJ = from dhatu, “TIJA NISHANE”, the word Tej is made meaning He who is self made and self-enlightened and gives light to sun, moon, stars etc. God does not take light from anywhere but gives light to sun, moon, stars, etc. so the unbroken, unobstructed/unproduced and eternal form of light is Almighty God and not sun, moon etc. So the name of God is Tej.

ISHWAR = from dhatu, “ISH ASHWERIYE”, the word Ishwar is made. Its meaning is whose knowledge is thoughtful and true and He who has unlimited wealth, fortune and glory etc. Therefore the name of God is Ishwar. Here it is not out of place to mention that soul (man/woman) has limited qualities and are dependent whereas God is independent and has unlimited qualities that is why He is God.

ADITYA = from dhatu, “DO AVAKHANDANE”, Aditya word is made. Its meaning is the one who cannot be broken into pieces and thus cannot be destroyed. So God’s name is Aditya.

PRAJAYEN (PRAGYA) = from dhatu, “JYEN AVABODHANE”, Prajayen word is made meaning whose wisdom is totally without any misunderstanding and thus he who knows every matter and behavior of whole universe without misunderstanding. So God’s name is Prajayen. So here also it is not out of place to mention that illusion can never attack on God and God is totally free from illusion.

BHUHU = “BHUHU ITI VAYEE PRANAHA” i.e., He who is the base of lives of universe, is most beloved, even more than Prann i.e., breath. So Bhuhu is the name of God.

BHUVAHA= “BHUVAHA ITI APANAHA” i.e., He who is totally free from any sorrow, and the soul removes his own all sorrows after coming in contact with Him. So the name of God is Bhuvaha.

SWAHA = i.e., “SWAHA ITI VYANAHE” who is omnipresent in the universe and is holding the same. So the name of God is Swaha.

SAVITUHU = He who creates the universe. So the name of God is Savituhu.

DEVSYA= who gives all pleasure/merriment, so the name of God is Dev.

VARENNYAM = He who is the most supreme and acceptable. God is most supreme and acceptable for worship.

BHARGAHA = the purest entity (though God is formless, but finding no suitable English word of Sanskrit word, “SHUDH SWARUPAM” the word entity has been used.)

TAT = i.e., the God i.e., of the purest entity.

DHIMAHI = i.e., we must hold (sort of meditation) because

YAHA = the God

NAHA = our,

DHIYAHA = mind(i.e., in our minds)

PRACHODYAT = by inspiration (fulfil the mind with wisdom)

MEANING “We meditate the God who is the base of lives’ of universe, totally free from any sorrow, omnipresent, creates the universe, gives all pleasure/merriment, most supreme and acceptable, purest entity; May the God enlighten our minds with wisdom by His inspiration”.

Here it is not out of place to mention that idea of a (one) Ved mantra is based on ideas of several Ved mantras. So in the above Gayatri mantra, there are three things —-

Bhuhu, Bhuvaha, Swaha, Savituhu, Bhargaha, Devsya are some qualities amongst unlimited qualities of God. These are called Stuti i.e., to say about God with His real qualities and not self made etc.

Secondly Dhimahi means meditation i.e., one should always sit in meditation and do hard and pious deeds for which he will have to study Vedas in full, while discharging moral duties towards family and nation.

Third and last is DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODYAT. It is a prayer to God explanation of which is cited above.

How to do havan

Please sit in the morning to perform havan. Havan must be in sunlight then it is more beneficial. Then half a bowl of fresh water with a tablespoon must be with you with small twigs especially of mango tree if possible, havan samagri, ghee, camphor and match box must be there with you. Please sit on sukh asan on four times folded blanket and blanket must be on mat.

Sukh asan i.e., sit on duly folded feet in comfortable position. Then first close your eyes and concentrate between two eyebrows and chant Gayatri mantra three times within heart and not by mouth. Then open your eyes.

Take one spoon of water in right palm. Chant this mantra, OM AMRITO UPASTRANMASI SWAHA and drink the water which you have put in your palm. Then again take the spoon of water in right palm then chant the next mantra, OM AMRITA APIDHANMASI SWAHA, and drink the water. Then again take the water in right palm and chant the mantra, OM SATYAM YASHAH SHRI MAYI SHRI SHRAYTAAM SWAHA, and drink the water. Then wash the right palm while sitting, with the same water kept in bowl.

Then put the twigs into havan kund with one piece of camphor and burn it. During this process chant the Gayatri mantra again and again till such time the fire is lighted sufficiently. Then chant the Gayatri mantra and at the last add the word Swaha and offer ghee with tablespoon, quantity equivalent to 4 to 5 drops. And if you are alone then also offer in fire pinch of havan samagri from your right hand’s finger and thumb avoiding forefinger. So this offering may be of 11 times, 21 times or 51 times as the time suits. It is the simplest way and I have not quoted the complete method of Yajna. The havan with Ved mantras are always offered as the best worship of God only please. Do havan daily and both times.

Ashtabhuja: Namaste Swamiji, I want to know about following: 1. How to do the pranayam. 2. Surya ko argh kaise de. Is Maryada Purushottam Ram worship the God Surya. 3. What is meaning of Shiv Ling. Is Maryada Purushottam Ram Worship the Shiv Ling. I want to know all above in detail. You are the only medium to whom I can ask any thing. Thanking You.Swami Ramswarup: Namasteji. (1) Prannayam is always learnt from a learned acharya personally, please. (2) Valmiki Ramayan tells the real life history of Sri Ram in which it is stated that he followed the eternal Vedic path. He used to worship Formless, Almighty God by performing Yajyen and doing Ashtang Yoga practice etc. He did not worship Surya(sun). In Vedas, only a Formless, Almighty God is to be worshipped and not others. (3) As above .

Hence, he did not worship shivling as well.

Sugandh: Do ghosts / bad souls exist around. Why/why not? Swami Ramswarup: No please. There is no existence of any ghost, in the universe, according to Vedas. Hence, one should not worry about the same. I also paste my articles in this regard.

About Ghosts

There is no existence of ghosts. But mostly the people who want to earn money or try to take enjoyment make it popular through falsehood and self- made frauds. They only spread such false worship of ghosts. They only promote the said worship by giving false proof of existence of ghosts and people are attracted and accept the same as if it is true.

In short I give two instances: A poor man met me. He was suffering from acute stomach pain. He told me that his relative had taken him so many times to a baba who used to do treatment of ghost. The man was beaten badly there number of times, to accept that there was a ghost in him. The poor man said to me that at last helplessly, he (poor man) accepted that the ghost is within him, only to save himself from beating. But the fact was that he was having acute stomach pain. When such person accepts existence of ghost under pressure then the people who are present there, accept and start saying that they are eye-witness when the person accepted the existence of ghost.

This is what the false worshippers of ghosts want. They actually thus achieve the result of beating of the poor people. I suggested him some medicine and yoga asan and he became all right soon.

Second instance is that one of my followers brought a gentleman to me. He told that his friend’s daughter is caught by five witches. He further told the story that when the girl goes to bathroom in the morning, there the five witches slap on her upper arms and the sign of slaps of fingers exist on arms. The girl faints. So this story also looks a true one. But a learned person of Vedas, who is aware of the fundamental law of nature never accepts such stories at any cost to be a true one.

According to Yajurveda chapter 39, the fundamental law states that when alive soul leaves the human body, the soul remains under control of sutratma Vaayu by the power of God. At this time the soul always remains in sushuptwastha i.e., like in comma till rebirth. So how a soul can be a ghost? And in a stage of comma (sushuptwastha) how a soul can give harm to anybody?

I thought if I will straightaway refuse the existence of ghost, then the problem will not be solved, because the father of the girl was firm believer of ghost. So I told that this girl must come to me along with her parents daily at least for 10-15 days then she will be okay.

When first day the girl came to me, I asked her to tell all about the witches/ghosts etc. She repeated the story and told that her parents had spent lot of money to cure her. Her parents used to take her to such persons who dealt with such cases of ghosts. The persons used to ask her parents to offer wine, chicken etc., which her parents provided. She used to sit before them continuously for full night also. She was beaten by them with iron chains a number of times.

The second day I started giving her preach of Vedas. After one week, with the result of preach of Vedas, I was able to make her understand that there is no existence of ghost on the earth and she agreed.

Based on fundamental law of God I already knew that there is no ghost on the earth and the girl is telling all lies. Then in a friendly and pleasant atmosphere I told her that O daughter! When you have understood the fact of non-existence of ghosts then tell me truly about the story of witches and the signs of slaps with five fingers on the upper arms and what about fainting. I myself made a promise to her that I shall never tell her statement to anybody. Then she told that she is a student of class 9th and she never wants to go to school. But forcefully her parents used to send her to school then she thought to play such game.

When she was about to go to school in the morning she used to enter the bathroom and used to beat herself on both the upper arms leaving the signs of fingers thereon. She used to do the acting of fainting and afterwards she used to tell her parents that in the bathroom she saw five witches who beat her. With the result of such drama she used to enjoy the remaining day as holiday.

Then I told her that if she does not want to go to school, whatever may be the reason, I will make her parents agree, but she should stop doing such acting. And I will not tell anything to anybody. She agreed.

Next day I called her parents without girl and told them that I have cured their daughter. Now the witches will not come again but in this process they should stop their daughter from going to school. I asked them to arrange her education privately. Now she is married having sons and daughters.

After a lapse of six years I told the above true story in one of my regular preach where my follower who brought the case to me, was sitting in the public. Now he is a retired Govt., servant from a higher gazetted post. He was very much surprised after listening the fact.

So we must follow the fundamental law of nature only then there will be no problem to understand the truth.

QUALITIES OF SOULS (JEEVATAMA) Soul is alive. Soul has to face the result of his deeds. Soul takes body of human beings, animals, birds, trees etc., according to deeds of past lives. Soul feels sorrow, happiness etc., through body. When soul leaves body, it feels nothing but carries all karma to be faced in next birth through his chitta’s (chitta) vritti (vritti).

Souls are innumerable but are constant in number having similar qualities like being pure, immortal, alive etc. Soul is infinitesimally small, is invisible. The bodies of all living beings contain souls.

Not God but soul has desire, hatred/malice, merriment, sufferings, attachment etc. While attracting itself towards materialistic articles made of prakriti soul forgets his original form. As a result, soul recognizes himself as body. This is the stage of soul being unwise.

(TAM) that God (NA) not ( VIDATH) known (YAH) who (EMA) all worlds (JAJANN) creates and (YAT) from you (ANYAT) separate from other souls(YUSHMAKAM) from you (ANTARAM) with in all (BABHOOVA) is (NIHAREINN) fog like smoke (YAT) that God (PRAVARITAHA) covered (JALAPYAHA) baseless discussion (ASUTRIPAHA) satisfied only in Prann [breathing system] (UKTHASHASAHA) only paying lip service (CHARANTI) deals or behaves.

Meaning: Like an invisible matter which is covered with fog similarly dealing in only lip service and indulging in baseless discussion and are satisfied in their breathing system, Oh! Man-woman, you do not know the God who creates the five matters/universe and the God who is separate from other souls and who is within all.

Atma means jeevatma i.e., soul. Autobiography of soul is not written, please. Yog shastra sutra 1/2 states- “Yogas Chitta Vritti Nirodhaha” i.e., when an aspirant does hard practice of ashtang yoga philosophy mentioned in vedas under the guidance of learned acharya of ashtang yoga and vedas philosophy then one day he becomes capable of destroying his previous as well as present life’s deeds. Then Yog shastra sutra 1/3 states “Tada Drashtu Swarupevasthanum” i.e., then soul gets situated in his form i.e., soul knows himself.

In the absence of the said worship, soul does not recognize himself. Soul being indulged in illusion, forgets his form. His form is that soul is pure i.e., never indulges in illusion. Actually, through five senses, mind and intellect, soul is attracted towards materialistic articles of world and hence, illusion effects him. So, soul is originally pure, immortal, alive, learned, eternal matter who neither takes birth nor meets with death. So, the said qualities can be stated as biography of soul. So, soul cannot be hurt or killed. Therefore, the question of self-defense does not arise. Defense is needed for human-body only wherein soul resides. Soul is pure (shudh) in his original form and can never be made or purified so its shuddhi is not required.

Atm- sakshi means self-realization. Soul has eternal, original, divine qualities amongst which some have been described above. So, sanskar of soul is not required. Sanskars get imprinted on chitta only.

Nimesh: Namaskar Guruji. I wish to have your view on following : 1. Astrology – How true it is ? Is there any mention of Astrology in Vedas. 2. Palmistry / Vastu Shahstra etc. as per Vedas 3. Although Idol worship is not there in Vedas, do not you think it helps to in doing sathdna. Shree Ramkrshna Pramhans worshiped Ma Kali, Meera Kumari worship Shri Krishna, Jalaram worship Shri Ram are some examples.Swami Ramswarup: Namasteji. (1) Present astrology is not mentioned in Vedas. In this connection, I paste one of my answer –

About astrology/dagda yog

Actually in Vedas there is no existence of such astrology and dagda yog. So please do not worry about what is written in your horoscope. Actually the human being has to face the result of his past lives’ deeds of good or bad nature.

Human body is meant for eternal worship under guidance of a real spiritual master to finish the effects of the deeds and to have long happy life. So please go on doing hard work and side by side worship of God for long happy life.

Vedas & Astrology

Present astrology to tell future etc., is not mentioned in Vedas, please. So is not authentic in learned acharyas. Vedas tell about the knowledge of planets, etc., and Planets are non-alive, which do not affect our lives as is being said in present astrology. Non-alive matters are not required to be worshipped being created by God from non-alive prakriti. Only one God who is formless, eternal, and omnipresent and who creates, nurses and destroys the universe is adorable, please

(2) Palmistry and vastu shastra matters have also not been mentioned in Vedas. (3) Everybody is free to worship at their own accord but when question arises regarding Vedas then it is clear that Vedas tell only to worship Formless, Almighty Omnipresent God Who creates, nurses and destroys the universe. I also paste my article in this regard. IDOL WORSHIP IS NOT MENTIONED IN VEDAS.

If an aspirant will concentrate over mouth of idol then for sometime he will concentrate on chin, nose, head etc., but concentration on one point will not be achieved. Secondly, Vedas do not preach to concentrate outside the body. Yog shastra sutra 3/1 also states, “DESHBANDHASYA CHITTASYA DHARNA” i.e., concentrate on a point of body like agyachakra, tip of the nose or heart. So we cannot go against the ved-shastras. Yes, idol worship has been started within two thousand and five hundred years. That is why, Vedas do not tell for idol worship but if people desire, they can go ahead.

Pictures, drawings etc., may not be considered idols but it is an art and not worship of God. We must know that knowledge of Vedas emanates direct from God and idol worship has been made by human beings. So now we have to decide whether we obey God or human beings. If we still follow the path made by humans then no problem, one must go ahead. On the other hand, follower of Vedas must continue his own path.

In four Vedas, the media to realize the God has been stated as – Study of Vedas under guidance of acharya which is a real media and as mentioned in the Vedas, one has to follow the preach mentioned therein viz., performance of Yajyen, name jaap of God , regular contact with learned acharya of Vedas, ashtang Yoga Practice under his guidance etc. The said media is stated by God Himself in Vedas. Man, an artist, clay and every matter right from straw to sun, moon, air, space etc., is the creation of God. It thus concludes that we have to worship and realize the creator and we must not be attracted towards creation. Attraction is the task of senses, perceptions and mind which is destroyed but the creator is immortal. No other media is stated in Vedas except the human body through which the said worship is done by a Yogi, Rishi-muni or aspirant.

Vedas-shastras state that God is omnipresent and according to Yajurveda mantra 40/6 it is true but other mantras state that God is “Ninnaya” that is hidden in the universe and we have to locate the hidden God and not the visible, non-alive matters of the world.

T.V., radios etc., all articles are man-made and controlled by some mechanism. And examples of man-made mechanism are actually not applied on Almighty, omnipresent God. Any mechanism, for example- rocket launching , launching of satellites etc., involves the mind of a man and mind has limited power otherwise mind could have searched the hidden Almighty God also but Vedas state that mind, intellect , senses etc., have limited power and God is beyond imagination , beyond description, beyond calculation. That is why, our ancient Rishis, Rajrishis practised Vedic path that is did practice of Ashtang Yoga Philosophy, yajyen etc.

As such they exercised control over mind, intellect, senses etc. A Yogi when makes the mind dead etc., and forgets even himself (soul) then he realizes the God. This eternal Vedic path of Yoga philosophy has been very well preached by Rishi Patanjali in his Yog Shastra.

God is not a matter to be seen with eyes. So how can He be seen alone in everything with the destructive eye?

Ego is not one-sided matter. If there is ego, neither a formless God is realized nor difference between idol or formless God is established. It is ego that most of the people respect the idol worship as well as formless God’s worship mentioned in Vedas but when an aspirant follows the Vedas, his mind becomes stable, then he only accepts worship of formless God and not others. Whereas, the worshipper who worships idol, he accepts formless God also i.e., he cannot ignore Vedas and can not accept one path alone. We must deeply think over it that why is it so?

God being formless has not preached regarding any of His substitute or symbol, so the aspirant who knows Vedic philosophy accepts the God’s preach accordingly. When God in four Vedas, has not stated about His mark or representative then how the follower would accept the same? Vedas have been preaching the formless worship as quoted above eternally whereas the worship of idol has been made for the last about two thousand five hundred years ago by the human-beings. So there is difference of worship of formless God and idol.

Idol worship is the worship where the sentiments and emotions of heart are involved and all the said involvements are man-made as well as destructible. How a mind/intellect having limited power can dig out the Almighty, formless, hidden God from the creation? God is Almighty i.e., He has unlimited powers whereas soul who is being assisted by mind, intellect and senses etc., has limited power.

Yajurveda mantra 1/5 and Rigveda mantra 3/56/1 states that even God cannot transgress His rules. So how can God be transformed according to our emotions and be forced to accept our sentiments which are not according to His laws of nature.

All Vedas state that His laws of creation remain unchangeable. So there is no value of our sentiments etc., contrary to His rules and regulations. In the said Rigveda mantra, God strictly states “that all mountains, seas, rivers and even the Yogis who have realized Him (God) are incapable to change His rules and regulations and the way of worship etc.” So our self-made worship, emotions and sentiments etc., are of no use until these are according to Vedas.

As regards flag, yes it is invaluable not only for soldiers but for countrymen as well. However, the flag of each country is different. Will any other countryman sacrifice his life for our Tiranga? We, the Indians are enough to sacrifice our lives to maintain the dignity of our adorable Tiranga. So flags are different, the countries being different but God is one and only one for entire universe. So worldly example in the matter of formless, Almighty God is not applicable, please.

Also the matter of image being very clear to the devotee when it speaks to him in his own language of devotion, forces a learned man to say that the said speech between his mind and soul is worldly speech and even destructible whereas when a Yogi realizes God, he is completely unable to speak, hear, see, smell, eat, think etc. In this connection, the description of Yog shastra sutra 4/30,31, 32 pertaining to Dharmamegh Samadhi refers.

Yes, only currency notes are valuable. Similarly the Yogis –like Yogeshwar Sri Krishna Maharaj, Sri Ram, Vyas muniji, Guru Vasishth, Atri Rishi, Patanjali Rishi and the present Yogis-Rishis –Munis who have realized God, following the Vedic path are valuable. The stamp of beloved God is everywhere that is in sky, water, vegetation, in each living being etc. But as far as worship is concerned then the follower of Vedas only worships formless God who creates, nurses and destroys the universe, alone being Almighty. He is Almighty, therefore, He doesnot need any assistance from anyone.

This is never forgotten that the image has been brought from Jaipur etc., so if one can worship an image then why can’t one worship all pervading, omnipotent, omniscient, merciful God, who is the source of everything, who is eternal, unchangeable, life of life and soul of soul etc. Why do we change Him from being unchangeable to changeable idol?

Practice makes man perfect. So the beginner will get the sanskar (effect) on his chitta of idol worship and the same will never be omitted again. Secondly, according to the Vedas idol worship is not authentic. You see, there is no shape of soul. Atharvaveda mantra 10/8/25 states that size of soul is less than the tip of hair i.e., soul is the minutest matter which remains unseen. But when an aspirant tries to know about the soul, he knows based on qualities. We know about a person according to the description of his qualities- good or bad. Accordingly, we know Ravanna, King Harishchandra etc., based on their bad and good qualities respectively. So is the case of formless God. God has given His description/His divine qualities in Vedas only. After studying the Vedas, we first know the God based on Shabda Brahma i.e., ved mantras. Thereafter, when we worship Him according to Vedas, we attain Samadhi and realize Him. This fact has also been mentioned in Shantiparv of Mahabharat wherein Bheeshma tells Yudhishthir that Oh! Yudhishthir, he who gets perfection in ved mantras first, then he realises God.

When Formless, Almighty God has not stated in any ved about the idol worship then how will He be pleased by idol worship? Yajurveda mantra 32/3 states “NA TASYA PRATIMA ASTI” i.e., God cannot be measured. So there cannot be any idol of God because He is immeasurable. However, if people get peace in following idol worship, they may continue. Here I am only discussing the fact of Vedas.

Touching of hand and body etc., is materialistic matter which can only please mind, intellect through skin but it can’t be quoted in respect of Formless, Almighty God.

Whole world can be considered as the body of God but in reality God does not have body because God is alive whereas world is non-alive matter. So God is separate and world is separate. God remains immortal whereas world is destructible.

The image will be destroyed one day but not God. When there is no body of God then how will we be able to offer flowers, sandal wood paste, food etc., to Him.

Yajurveda mantra 40/8 states God to be the purest and He needs not to be purified by bathing, changing clothes and applying sandal wood paste etc. It is an idol or body of human-being which requires purification again and again.

External form of worship will strengthen the idol only because we will be singing, describing the attributes of idol/creation and not to Formless God. If we in the beginning are not able to judge the true, divine qualities of formless God then our love and faith will remain unstable.

Such aspirant will only feel nearness to the idol and not formless God who is already within him and who already resides the nearest to the soul i.e., within the soul.

We will have to study the Vedas which state that idol worship is not permitted by God. Yet, if an aspirant wants to worship an idol then I am telling again and again that he can go ahead at his own. On receipt of your e-mail, I am giving answer based on Vedic philosophy only that what Vedas say about idol worship. Vedas do not speak about idol worship and avtarwad. However, people are free to go ahead on their own and do whatever they like.

When I will see any art which is liked by soul through eye, definitely it will be admired and the scene which is disliked will be ignored. So if many people admire the idol of Ganesh sitting on conch, admiration is natural. As far as Vedas-shastras and other holy ancient books written by Rishis are concerned in the worship of formless God, spirit has no concern. Neither spirit exists nor has any concern with the worship of God.

So in the end I again say that he who wishes to worship idol, he may go ahead at his own. I have only told Vedas’ views on the matter of idol worship on receipt of your this particular e-mail.

Mere study of Vedas and other holy Granths does not help in attaining the purpose until we put into practice the preach given therein, in daily life. Realization is only possible after tapsya like Yajyen, daily worship, brahmacharya and daily hard yoga practice etc. According to four Vedas and Patanjal Yoga Darshan and also based on my personal experiences, it is not an easy task to awaken the kundalni. I cannot give brief here, being secret one but I can only tell here that kundalni is a part of body and it reaches at murdha to open the path of brahmrandra , where a yogi realizes God. Murdha is a point at forehead, between two eyebrows , where ida and pingla nadi meet. Kundalni is awakened after long Ashtang yoga practice. Some say that it is a matter of three months. See that God is called Atithi in Vedas. Atithi means He who has no date of His visit i.e., you can not fix date for appointment. If we say for three months or so, it means we have ordered God to be present before us within three months where as Atharvaveda mantra 4/30/3 states that after seeing the good quality and tapsya etc., of an aspirant God Himself makes the aspirant able to realize Him at any date which is fixed by God and not by man.

Hence, time bound Kundalni Jagran is not possible as no one can give order to God. Geeta book says, “BAHUNAAM JANAMNA ANTE” means after so many births aspirants realizes God. So yoga should be learnt and practised faithfully. It is up to God and Guru jee when kundalini is awakened. Because awakened means realization of God.

Bipin: Param pujaya Guruji, our charan sparsh & dandawat pranam at your pious feet. Guruji, I had earlier read both part of Bhagwat Geeta written by your good self. Accordingly, I have noted respective questions. Hereby I would kindly request you to please guide us based on Vedas knowledge. Bhagwat Geeta Part-1 1. Shlok 2/21 (page-98) = It is stated that ‘atma swayam anu nahi hai’ i.e. soul itself is not matter. We know qualities of soul like it is ajanma, pure, avaykta etc. It is shukshma. But even though it is shukshma, it must be made of something since it has existence. Guruji please guide whether soul is shukshma only & whether it is made of nothing/no matter/no anu. (I think same quality applies to Ishwar also i.e. He is also not made of any matter or thing, He is sukhshma but unlike we soul Ishwar can adopt virat swarup i.e. He can spread Himself beyond this universe also i.e. He can spread without any end). Please guide on this quality of soul. Whether same thing applies to man, buddhi etc. since they are also sukhshma. 2. Shlok 3/42 (page-396) = It is stated that ‘iss shareer ke andar anandmay kosh main birajman Ishwar, so here what is the meaning of ‘anandmay kosh’. I think Ishwar resides in each cell of our body & even between each space of cells also i.e He is in our entire body but He manifests Himself in the heart of yogi during smadhi avastha. So is there any specific meaning of ‘anandmay kosh’. Please explain its meaning. Pranam, Guruji. With charan Sparsh at your pious feet.Swami Ramswarup: My blessings to you all, my son. 1.) Shloka 2/21- Soul has not been made from any matter and nothing can be made from soul, i.e., why soul is immortal. I think, I have already replied to you about it. Please, confirm.

Bipin: Param pujaya Guruji, our charan sparsh & dandawat pranam at your pious feet. This is with reference to your below reply. We thank you very much and are obliged to you for your kind and encouraging reply. Guruji, your reply has given lot of confidence and comfort and showing path to us to continue hard work and sadhna to obtain blessings of Ishwar. We will follow and continue it. Also we are grateful to you for always showering your blessings on us. Pranam, Guruji. With charan Sparsh at your pious feet. 15.01.12.